If you’ve ever read through a educational finance text book or taken a business finance course, you already know how difficult it can be to apply the theories, principles, and strategies to a small or medium sized business scale.

From a formal educational point of view, there is very little useful information provided as to how the market place works, how to plan for financing requirements, how to manage periods of growth, decline, transition, start up, etc.

Sure academic books and courses can go through all these areas in great detail, but is the information practical, real world, something you can relate to and apply yourself as a manager or owner of a small or medium sized business?

In most cases, the answer is a resounding NO.

Most finance text books speak to big business financing dynamics that are not easily transferable to small and medium sized business scenarios.

Outside of the formal education system, the next great source of business financing information is the information provided by the major banks, which they tend to make available to you by the boat load through there broad based marketing campaigns.

Unfortunately, the information by itself seldom helps you determine if a particular institution would be able to provide you with financing, or what would be required to qualify for a loan.

The massive brand advertising campaigns run by the major banks have told us for years that these institutions will take care of all our banking needs, and that basically all we have to do is show up on their door step and they’ll take care of the rest.

Depending on whose numbers you look at, in reality major banks provide less than 30% of the financing required by small and medium sized businesses and this number is on the decline.

So, when equipped with little or no useful information, the average business owner or manager for a small or medium sized business will first approach their existing bank for financing.

After all, you just need to show up at the door step of a major bank and they will take care of your needs, especially if you are a long time customer, right?

Despite the branded messages to the contrary, major banks tend to be very selective when providing business financing to small and medium sized businesses.

So, if your bank can’t provide you with the business financing you require, what is your alternative?

The good news is that business financing sources continue to grow in numbers as more and more lenders carve out a particular piece of the market to service.

In order to take advantage of these alternatives, you need to have a solid approach in place when seeking business financing.

Here’s a short list of things to consider

>>> Develop a thorough understanding of both your personal and business assets, income, and cash flow.

Regardless of financing model, these elements will always come into play to some degree.

A good practice to follow is to maintain a personal net worth statement and update it at least quarterly so that when you do need to access this information you don’t have to dig through stock certificates, pension statements, life insurance policies, etc., to come up with a current value for the assets you own and the debts you owe.

Your knowledge of your own business financials is also an indication of your ability to manage your business.

>>> Monitor and manage your personal and business credit.

Small and medium sized business financing is focused on both personal and business credit histories.

Regular reviews of both personal and business credit reports from the credit reporting agencies are important to avoid errors and credit practices that can severly damage your borrowing power.

>>> Develop your marketing position.

Yes, seeking business financing is a marketing exercise.

When applying for business financing, you are marketing your business to lending sources.

In order for them to seriously consider your application, they need to know what’s in it for them.

What will they make as a return?

What is the risk of you not paying the money back?

What are the business risks and how do you intend to manage them?

When will they get their money back?

How will you secure the loan, and so on.

>>> Research Lending Sources

Your goal when seeking business financing is to locate the amount of capital you require to accomplish a specific purpose from a financing source that meets your business needs.

Again, there are lots of business financing sources. But there is also lots of variation in the types of business applications each one can consider.

Broad based lenders reply on credit history and net worth. As you get more specific in terms of financing application and industry, lender applications become more narrow and can be harder to locate.

Financing consulants and business loan brokers can be an excellent source of information.

>>> Qualify The Lender

Before you make a formal application, find out if the lender has the programs and lending track record to meet your specific needs.

Too often, only the lender does any amount of qualification. Both sides should get comfortable with what each can offer the other before proceeding with a formal application process.

>>> Compare your options

Depending on the scenario, there can be several financing strategies that could work for your business.

Make sure you take the time to compare before making a decision. The extra time spent could save you considerable time and money in the long run.

>>> Start Today

Regardless of what your business financing needs are right now, you should regularly invest time in staying on top of your business’s financials and researching financing sources that fit your industry and potential future applications.

When the time comes to acquire additional capital, your proactive efforts can make all the difference in getting the capital you require, when you need it, for terms that are acceptable to your business.